Winemaker Notes
Pale straw with a green tinge. A subdued yet complex perfume of lemon blossom, lime and ginger, with delicate hints of brioche and pine needles. Savory overtones of bread crust, almond and spicy oak bring depth to the intriguing fragrance. The soft creamy texture, polished acidity and light, dry tannin finish combine to create an incredible body and mouthfeel. Lovely citrus flavors mingle with hints of crushed dry vine leaf and kaffir lime. Not overtly fruity in this cool vintage, the wine is delicate and textured, with pure balance.
Professional Ratings
-
James Suckling
This has a very elegant and taut, refined feel. Aromas of grilled hazelnuts, peaches, apricot kernel, lemons and wet stones lead to a smooth, refined palate texture, delivering a citrus-fruit focus with a deep build of fleshy peach flavor and textural weight through the finish. Quality in every sense.
-
Wine Enthusiast
This is classic Margaret River and is an excellent intro into both the region's and this renowned producer's Chardonnay style. The nose is fruity but delicate, combining melon and peach notes with cashew, wet stone and a briny, seashell nuance. On the beautifully balanced palate, tingly acidity bounces across the tongue, feeling playful beside the creamy texture. The oak is present but plays a supporting role, and there's a long, saline finish. Drinking blissfully well now but could age until 2028.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Vasse Felix's 2018 Chardonnay is emblematic of the vintage, showcasing luscious fruit and generosity. Subtle notes of toasted grain accent apple, pear and melon flavors, and while this medium to full-bodied wine is plump, round and silky-textured, it also ends with a lively, refreshing dose of citrus.
-
Wine Spectator
Elegant and powerful, starting off succulent, with fleshy peach, pear and apricot flavors. Details of spice, hazelnut and cinnamon linger effortlessly on the finish.
-
Decanter
Rich and plush, with tropical fruit and nutty oak aromatics, yellow apple, melon and spiced nutmeg on the palate.
-
Wine & Spirits
This vintage of Vasse Felix is showing its oak more aggressively than the 2019 (also recommended here). It has some earthiness from the indigenous fermentation in barrel, and from a portion that fermented with its solids. The generous fruit touches on pungent nectarine and caramelized pear, a toasty white for pork chops with creamed potatoes and mushroom gravy.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
Home to some of Australia’s most elegant and long-lived red and white wines, Margaret River is situated in the farthest reaches of Western Australia. Relatively warm and dry, the region is cooled by breezes from the Indian Ocean. Margaret River takes some inspiration from Bordeaux, producing top-quality Cabernet Sauvignons and Bordeaux Blends with firm structure, mouthwatering acidity, balanced alcohol and notes of herbs and spice. For white wines, refreshing blends of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon as well as complex, age-worthy Chardonnays are regional specialties.